Former Sen. Doug Jones hints at 2026 rematch with Tommy Tuberville in Alabama governor’s race

Former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones appears to be headed for another political showdown against current Sen. Tommy Tuberville, this time for the governor’s office.

Jones, a Democrat, served in the Senate from 2018 to 2021 before being defeated by Tuberville, the former Auburn University football coach turned MAGA firebrand.

Now that Tuberville is in the race for the top spot in Montgomery in 2026, Jones is teasing his next move alongside his partisan rival.

“Stay tuned,” he said to a crowd of roaring cheers at an event held at Birmingham’s Parker High School.

Jones answered the final question submitted by attendees at a town hall conversation with him and U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell in Birmingham Saturday afternoon.

The crowd rose to its feet when the moderator asked the question, the climax of the event.

The event was previously billed as an afternoon with U.S. Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey before he cancelled because the Senate was called into session this weekend amid the ongoing government shutdown.

Jones and Sewell gave an overview and commentary on the federal shutdown, why Democrats are pressing to secure extensions of the Affordable Care Act and what Tuesday’s elections in races around the country could forecast for their party.

The event was sponsored by Blueprint Alabama, a Democratic political action committee.

“We’ve just got out work ‘em, folks. We’ve got to play the hand we’re dealt, and we’re not going to be dealt a good hand,” Jones said, urging people to work hard to register voters, engage them and get them to vote.

Booker, who called into the event, has promised to return to Alabama as soon as his schedule allows.

In the meantime, Josh Coleman, chairman of the Jefferson County Democratic Party who co-founded Blueprint Alabama alongside Caroline Self, called Saturday’s gathering productive.

“Anytime that we can hear from people from people who represent us we should do that,” Coleman told AL.com later.

As for Jones’ political tease, Coleman noted the excitement that potential candidacy injects.

“If he decides to run, I’ll be excited,” Coleman said.

“I think that anybody who wants to offer themselves for public office should do so. He’s no stranger to the political landscape here in Alabama.”

Jones during the event took a swipe at Tuberville for his loyalty to President Donald Trump, saying he’s an example of new ultra-partisan leaders in Washington.

“You’ve got Tuberville on their side who just takes marching orders rather than think for themselves,” Jones said.

Jones said Democrats should be energized by the early victories of Tuesday.

The minority party made significant gains in statewide elections, capturing the governor’s mansions in New Jersey and Virginia.

“We’ve got to look at the opportunities that exist,” Jones said.

“If we can find credible candidates, we can make them competitive. This is the opportunity to build. This year is the opportunity to build because we have the wind at our backs.”

When it comes to the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, both Sewell and Jones defended the rationale for Democrats holding out for concessions on healthcare.

Republicans point their collective finger at Democrats for refusing to vote on a temporary funding resolution to keep the government open before a debate on healthcare.

Democrats say they are holding out for a greater long-term good and don’t trust Republicans to negotiate in earnest.

“We need a bipartisan solution that protects healthcare and fully funds SNAP to reopen the government,” Sewell said.

Sewell said President Trump has only spent 45 minutes in direct talks with Democratic leaders in the House and Senate.

“Yet he’s spent hours with foreign dignitaries,” she said. “I really don’t believe that the government will reopen until he engages.”